Griffiths Energy International, Inc., ("GEI") was a Canadian start-up energy company. Upon the death of one of its founders, the company changed its name to Caracal Energy Inc. Carcal was subsequently purchased by Glencore plc after the misconduct alleged in this action.
Naeem Riaz Tyab, a Canadian citizen, was a founding shareholder of GEI and served as a director of the company from August 2009 to July 2011.
Mahamoud Adam Bechir was the Republic of Chad's Ambassador to the United States and Canada who served at the Embassy of Chad located in the District of Columbia from 2004 to 2012.
Youssouf Hamid Takane was the Republic of Chad's Deputy Chief of Mission for the United States and Canada who served at the Embassy of Chad located in the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2012.
Nourcham Bechir Niam was Bechir's wife and resided with him in the District of Columbia between 2009 and 2011.
According to the documents in this case, between August 2009 and July 2014, Bechir and Takane solicited a $2 million bribe from GEI in exchange for a promise to use their official positions and authority with the government of Chad to assist GEI in obtaining oil rights in Chad. Tyab agreed to pay the bribe and arranged for the bribe to be paid to Niam via a sham contract for consulting services that she never actually provided. In addition to the $2 million cash bribe, GEI also issued shares in the company to Niam, to Takane’s wife, and to a third unnamed Chadian individual, as part of the bribe.
On February 7, 2019, the DOJ filed a five count indictment under seal in the District of Columbia against Tyab, Bechir, Takane, and Niam alleging (1) conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA, (2) conspiracy to commit money laundering, and (3-5) direct money laundering violations. On May 20, 2021, the case was unsealed. According to a DOJ press release issued on May 24, 2021, Tyab entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to violate the FCPA on April 30, 2019, and further agreed to forfeit $27 million. On September 6, 2023, the court sentenced Tyab to 3 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, during which time he must complete 360 hours of community service. The court also ordered Tyab to forfeit $27,632,612.61.
According to the DOJ press release, the remaining three defendants remain at large.
This case is ongoing.
